A British police officer shot by a gunman in an incident which sparked a seven-hour siege was saved from serious injury by his body armour, his Chief Constable said today.

An investigation was underway today after a 42-year-old man was shot dead by police during a seven-hour armed siege at his village home.

A 42-YEAR-OLD man was shot dead by police yesterday after shooting one officer and then continuing to fire from a house during a seven-hour siege.